The Minnesota Vikings were on the verge of making the playoffs this season despite a season-ending injury to Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who missed significant minutes.
The Vikings had him on the team until the final week of the season, but he would have needed a lot of help to make the team.
Alexander Mattinson told FOX News Digital in a recent interview that the team is going to stick together no matter what.
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Alexander Mattison, 2, of the Minnesota Vikings runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on September 10, 2023. (David Berding/Getty Images)
“Look to my left and to my right. The world may be pointing fingers at this person or that person or whatever it is, but if we look from the inside out, we know that we are doing our best.” “I understand that you're doing everything you can, and that you love this person,” Mattison said.
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Alexander Mattison of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 8, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Kevin Savitas/Getty Images)
Mattison ran for a career-high 700 yards this season. He didn't rush for a touchdown, but he did catch three touchdown passes. He was also nominated for the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award for his philanthropic efforts.
He told FOX News Digital that he learned a lot about himself and his teammates through the ups and downs.
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“So I learned a lot about trust. I learned that overcoming adversity is not just about winning next week. It's not just about bouncing back from a loss and trying to win. It's about how we get through it, “throughout the week and throughout the season,'' he said.
“It’s the trials and tribulations that you face and the day-to-day work that you do. It’s the overcoming adversity that pays off in the end, not the results.
Alexander Mattison of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 31, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Steven Maturen/Getty Images)
“So it's just a process that we were able to go through. This season was definitely a trying time. But in the end, we were able to look at it and understand it and be better people. “We're closer in the locker room. And all we can do now is pick up the pieces, reflect, control what we can control and look forward to 2024.”
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